# Question regarding the War Victim Pension variable (IWAR1)

**URL:** <https://forum.lifbi.de/t/question-regarding-the-war-victim-pension-variable-iwar1/5538>\
**Category:** FDZ SOEP\
**Tags:** pequiv, iwar1, soep-core, fdz\_soep\
**Created:** [14. August 2026 um 10:00 UTC](https://forum.lifbi.de/t/question-regarding-the-war-victim-pension-variable-iwar1/5538 "2026-08-14T10:00:08Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![ayisha](https://forum.lifbi.de/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/c6cbf5/32.png) [@ayisha](https://forum.lifbi.de/u/ayisha)\
**Post date:** [14. August 2026 um 10:00 UTC](https://forum.lifbi.de/t/question-regarding-the-war-victim-pension-variable-iwar1/5538/1 "2026-08-14T10:00:08Z")

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### Dataversion

SOEP\_CORE.v41eu\_Stata

### Data Set

SOEP

### Please describe your problem

Dear SOEP team,

I am currently working with the **SOEP-PEQUIV dataset** and have a question regarding the variables **IWAR1$$ (war victim pension)** and **IWAR2$$ (Widows / orphans war victim pension)**.

According to the PEQUIV documentation, these variables represent gross income from war victim or war widow pensions. I have also checked the **SOEP-PL codebook** , but I am still not entirely sure how to interpret these variables.

Could you please clarify what exactly qualifies as a “war victim pension” or “widows / orphans war victim pension” in these variables? In particular, do they refer specifically to compensation/pensions related to **World War II** , for example, compensation received by individuals who were injured or otherwise affected as a result of WWII? Or do they refer more generally to compensation/pensions received because an individual was a victim of a war, potentially including other wars or conflicts?

I am asking because I am considering using these variables as a proxy for **exposure to World War II**.

Many thanks for your help.

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**Author:** ![mgrabka](https://forum.lifbi.de/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@mgrabka](https://forum.lifbi.de/u/mgrabka)\
**Post date:** [18. August 2026 um 10:32 UTC](https://forum.lifbi.de/t/question-regarding-the-war-victim-pension-variable-iwar1/5538/2 "2026-08-18T10:32:34Z")

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Dear Ayisha2,

thank you for your interest in the SOEP data. War victims pensions was asked until 2015 in SOEP. I you look in the questionnaire of e.g. 2015 you will get the following question:

Compensation and assistance for war victims (Kriegsopferversorgung).

War victim assistance in Germany is a state-run system for the compensation and support of individuals who have suffered health impairments due to wartime events (such as the World Wars or post-war consequences like unexploded ordnance).

I hope this helps

Markus

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**Author:** ![ayisha](https://forum.lifbi.de/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/c6cbf5/32.png) [@ayisha](https://forum.lifbi.de/u/ayisha)\
**Post date:** [25. August 2026 um 09:00 UTC](https://forum.lifbi.de/t/question-regarding-the-war-victim-pension-variable-iwar1/5538/3 "2026-08-25T09:00:59Z")

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> [@mgrabka](#):
>
> Kriegsopferversorgung

Dear Markus,

yes, it is really useful.

Thank you very much